Interoperability of network components having different identification schemes

Abstract

An apparatus and method for configuring an identifier in accordance with a predetermined identification scheme for a particular component within a network, the particular component being incapable of providing one or more value(s) for parameters of the predetermined identification scheme is provided. The apparatus comprises a module for determining that the particular component requires the identifier in accordance with the predetermined identification scheme and a processor for configuring the identifier in accordance with the predetermined identification scheme using one or more parameter value(s) available for components incapable of providing the parameter value(s) in accordance with the predetermined identification scheme. In some embodiments the identifier is assigned to the component.

1 . An apparatus for configuring an identifier in accordance with a predetermined identification scheme for a particular component within a network, the particular component being incapable of providing one or more value(s) for parameters of the predetermined identification scheme, the apparatus comprising: 
 a module for determining that the particular component requires an identifier in accordance with the predetermined identification scheme; and    a processor for configuring the identifier in accordance with the predetermined identification scheme using one or more parameter value(s) available for components incapable of providing the parameter value(s) in accordance with the predetermined identification scheme.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising an interface for receiving a message from the particular component indicating that the particular component is connected to the network.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a storage medium for recording the identifier in accordance with the predetermined identification scheme and, associated therewith, another identifier for the component.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the module is part of the processor.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the parameter value(s) available is/are determined according to the interface on which the message is received.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  connected to the component and to another component capable of providing parameter values for the parameters of the predetermined identification scheme.  
   
   
       7 . A method for configuring an identifier in accordance with a predetermined identification scheme for a particular component within a network, the particular component being incapable of providing one or more value(s) for parameters of the predetermined identification scheme, the method comprising: 
 determining that the particular component requires an identifier in accordance with the predetermined identification scheme;    configuring the identifier in accordance with the predetermined identification scheme using one or more parameter value(s) available for components incapable of providing the parameter value(s) in accordance with the predetermined identification scheme.    
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising assigning the identifier to the particular component.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein assigning the identifier comprises recording the identifier and a name of the particular component on a storage medium.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein determining that the particular component requires an identifier comprises: 
 receiving a message from the particular component indicating that the particular component has been connected to the network;    determining that the message does not contain an identifier in accordance with the predetermined identification scheme.    
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the parameter values available for components incapable of providing the value(s) are determined according to which interface a respective component is connected.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein configuring the identifier comprises: 
 accessing a storage medium having an interface identifier for the interface stored thereon;    retrieving the interface identifier; and    formulating the identifier based on the interface identifier.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein formulating the identifier comprises combining the interface identifier with at least one other parameter having a value assigned to components of a type the same as the particular component.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the message further comprises at least one of an ethernet address of the particular component and the type of device of the particular component.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the predetermined identification scheme is based on physical parameters of components in the network.  
   
   
       16 . A computer readable medium having computer readable instructions stored thereon that when executed implement the method of  claim 7 .  
   
   
       17 . An apparatus for enabling identification of a component in a network in accordance with a predetermined identification scheme for identifying components in the network, comprising: 
 a module for determining, at a network element, a first identifier for said component other than an identifier in accordance with the identification scheme;    a processor, responsive to the determination made by said module, for assigning a second identifier to said component, wherein the second identifier is permitted according to said predetermined identification scheme.    
   
   
       18 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 17 , further comprising a storage medium for storing a record containing the first identifier and, associated therewith, the second identifier.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the second identifier for said component comprises an identifier identifying an interface of said network element to which said component is connected.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein said module determines the identity of the interface of the network element to which said component is connected in response to a signal received from the component indicating that the component is connected to the network element.